Toe Fungus

Hi J.,
If the potential side effects of the drug are a concern, you can try some natural antifungals first. I think a few others have mentioned coconut oil. A good quality coconut oil (such as at tropicaltraditions.com) has strong antifungal properties and is also very nourishing for your skin. This same coconut oil is edible and will support your body systemically in eliminating the fungus. Therapeutic grade essential oils such as tea tree (also called melaleuca) and myrrh are also potent antifungals. You can find good quality essential oils at http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/aroma/ess.html. If it were me, I would put a drop of tea tree on each toenail a couple times a day and alternate that with coconut oil a couple times a day. I also would eat a tablespoon or so of coconut oil every day (use it to cook eggs for breakfast or spread it on toast or drink it with hot herbal tea).
Good luck!
B.

I did the Lamasil probably 6 years ago and it was great. It totally cleared it up. I actually stopped it before my full dose because I got pregnant and it has never returned.

J., try this web site, it has several suggestions for toenail fungus.

www.alternative-medicine-digest.com/toenail-fungus.html

I have read articles of Dr.Gott's re:these suggestions.

Fungus's can take a year to clear, so hang there.

You know, I overheard my dermatologist talking about Diflucan for toe fungus, you may want to talk to one and see.

good luck,
J.

Put Vick's Vapor rub on your toenails. Recommended by Dr. Gott (he has a newspaper column). Lots of people have written in to him and told him that it worked.

M.

You might talk with your Dr. about taking a Nistatin (sp?), which help internally with yeast, fungus, etc. They are prescription, but are more effective. Glad it was just your toenail and not your toe! ;^)

You lost one toe, or one toe nail? (Not trying to be snide, just to clarify; the first time I read it I though you lost the toe, but reading other posts, I'm guessing you meant the nail?). It sounds like you need to see a doctor. Go to a pediatrist. He can recommend something that will be effective, and you can ask about all the side effects.

J.,

If you have a Sally's where you live, go get some Anti-Fungi
clear. It works miracles.

Good luck
M.

J. - talk to your doc or dermatologist about Lamisil, especially now that it has spread to your other toes. I put it off because of the warnings too but I'm very pleased with the results. I didnt have any side effects from taking it.

My doc took a clipping of my nail to confirm a positive test for fungus. Then did a blood test at the beginning and half-way through to test liver function just to make sure I wasnt having any ill-effects.

If your nails are falling off, the fungus may be damaging the nail bed or the growth plate.

edit: just a thought after reading some of the other posts - check with your dermatologist before soaking your lost toenail. I had to have a toenail removed because of an injury and my podiatrist said to soak it the first day and then to stop after that - he said soaking it can retard growth of the new nail.

J.,

I love coconut oil! I had the same problem as you do (not as severe ... I didn't lose a toe) and I started taking a caprylic acid supplement. Coconut oil also has caprylic acid so use it as your moisturizer. I used Capryl by SOLARAY. It did the trick. I used to make sure my toes were always painted in the summer and wouldn't wear a french manicure on them. Now, although I like them painted, if I don't have time I can just use a coat of clear or buff them, and I can have a french manicure. They are healthy!

L.

Couple of things I've tried with success (but sounds like you might need bigger guns):

Coconut oil, with constant applications throughout the day.

Baking soda and DMSO - again, 3 x day. it will make the skin flake off but it's pretty effective.

Tea tree oil - stinks but...

Hydrogen peroxide and DMSO

If you're losing toes to this you should look at systemic infection - eating coconut oil, garlic, oil of oregano...other anti-fungal gifts from nature. Getting the sugar, polyunsaturated fats and white flour out of your diet will probably help.

Soak your feet in lipton tea .
I would also consider soaking in white vinager w/ lemon juice.
Sounds like you should go to the dr.

Our doctor said to rub Vicks on them. It will do the same thing as prescribed medications and is a lot less expensive.

Have you seen a doctor about the fungus? I have not had an experience like this, but a girlfriend of mine struggled with a fungus of some sort that she too got from another country (got a pedicure in China). It took quite some time to get rid of it, but unfortunatly I don't know what finally worked.

I would try Tea Tree Oil. It works for cold sores, warts, etc. You can order it on line or get it at a natural health food store.

I haven't had toe fungus but I do wellness work. Changing the pH will help. Yeast and fungus can not grow in an alkaline environment. Taking baths or soaking your feet in Baking soda and or epsom salt. Garlic fresh raw garlic is anti bacterial, anti fungal and antiparasitic. You can eat cloves of raw garlic intermittently through the day. change your body pH by increaseing green leafy veggies increasing your water intake and cut out acidic things like coffee and soda. Hope this helps, S.

J., my husband used to sell Lamisil. USE IT! The drug companies have to put all of the side effects on it but you can be certain they will not all happen to you. Don't let it alarm you. It WILL take care of your fungus and any home remedy will NOT. The quicker you use it, the better. It has to be treated from the inside-out. Not on the surface. Good luck.